Acoustic coupling for assessment and ablation procedures

Abstract

Acoustic coupling systems and methods are disclosed as these can be used for assessment and ablation procedures. An exemplary acoustic assessment system for a catheter may comprise a flexible catheter shaft. At least one acoustic transducer is positioned in the flexible catheter shaft. The at least one acoustic transducer emits a generated acoustic signal for reflection by adjacent tissue. The at least one acoustic transducer receives a reflected acoustic signal from the adjacent tissue and generates electrical signals corresponding to one or more property of the tissue. An output device is electrically connected to the at least one acoustic transducer. The output device receives the electrical signals and generate output for a user for assessing the tissue.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 979,475, filed 28 Dec. 2010 (the '475 application), now ______, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61 / 291,778, filed 31 Dec. 2009 (the '778 application). The '475 application and the '778 application are each hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONa. Field of the Invention[0002]The instant invention is directed toward a catheter and a method tier using the catheter for assessment and ablation procedures. In particular, the catheter of the present invention may comprise one or more acoustic transducers for assessment of tissue and / or for assessment of catheter contact with the tissue and / or for tissue ablation procedures.b. Background Art[0003]It is well known that benefits can be gained by forming lesions in tissue if the depth and location of the lesions being formed can be controlled. In part...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a system and method for using acoustic energy to reduce or eliminate damage to surrounding tissue or anatomical structures. The system includes an acoustic transducer element that generates a canceling effect of acoustic energy at a desired distance to the tissue. A shielding device or fabricated harrier structures can be used to generate the canceling effect. The system can also determine the level of contact between the catheter and tissue based on the acoustic signals. The output can be stored in a memory structure or conveyed to the user in near real-time for proper positioning of the catheter. The user can also be provided with a map of the tissue and ablation formation information.

Problems solved by technology

Several difficulties can be encountered, however, when attempting to form lesions at specific locations using some existing ablation electrodes.

One such difficulty encountered with existing ablation catheters is how to assess the tissue and catheter contact with the tissue.

These assessments are not readily determined using conventional fluoroscopy techniques.

Such experience only comes with time, and can be quickly lost if the physician does not use the catheter on a regular basis.

In addition, when forming lesions in a heart, the beating of the heart further complicates matters, making it difficult to assess and maintain sufficient contact pressure between the catheter and the tissue for a sufficient length of time to form a desired lesion.

If the contact between the catheter and the tissue cannot be properly maintained, a quality lesion is unlikely to be created.

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